Defn: Applied to knowledge and conceptions assumed, or presupposed, as prior to experience, in order to make experience rational or possible. A priori, that is, form these necessities of the mind or forms of thinking, which, though first revealed to us by experience, must yet have preëxisted in order to make experience possible. Coleridge.
APRIORISM
A`pri*o"rism, n. Etym: [Cf. F. apriorisme.]
Defn: An a priori principle.
APRIORITY
A`pri*or"i*ty, n.
Defn: The quality of being innate in the mind, or prior to experience; a priori reasoning.
APROCTA
A*proc"ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A group of Turbellaria in which there is no anal aperture.
APROCTOUS
A*proc"tous, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Without an anal office.
APRON A"pron, n. Etym: [OE. napron, OF. naperon, F. napperon, dim. of OF. nape, F. nappe, cloth, tablecloth, LL. napa, fr. L. mappa, napkin, table napkin. See Map.]